Secular Coalition for America - Vouchers for Religious Schoolshttps://www.secular.org/taxonomy/term/2/0
The Secular Coalition for America opposes voucher schemes, tuition tax credits and other revenue shifting measures which pay for religious education. We agree with the founders of the United States that no individual taxpayer should be required to pay for another citizen's religious belief or practice.enModel Secular Policy Guide for Legislatureshttps://www.secular.org/content/model-secular-policy-guide-legislatures
<p><a href="http://secular.org/files/model_secular_policy_guide1.pdf"><img style="float: right;" src="http://secular.org/files/mspg_cover.jpg" border="0" width="232" height="299" /></a>The Secular Coalition&rsquo;s <a href="http://secular.org/files/model_secular_policy_guide1.pdf">Model Secular Policy Guide</a> is a collaboration of the entire nontheistic movement, endorsed by 86 nontheistic, secular and affiliated organizations across the country. The guide covers a multitude of issues affecting secular and nontheistic Americans in public life including health policy, science education, tax exemptions, religiously-based discrimination, and the treatment of nontheists in the military, among others.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Model Policy Guide is meant to help educate legislators on the views of secular and nontheistic Americans on pertinent issues, and includes historical background and legal precedent. It will be distributed to every office on Capitol Hill, state legislative offices across the country and will also be available on the Coalition&rsquo;s website following the launch events.</p>
<p><strong>Areas of focus include: <br /></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Health and Safety</li>
<li>Education </li>
<li>Discrimination </li>
<li>Tax Policy</li>
<li>Military </li>
<li>International</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://secular.org/files/model_secular_policy_guide1.pdf">View or download the guide here &gt;&gt;</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>"under God" in the PledgeAcknowledging NontheistsBoy ScoutsChristian NationCivil Rights/Religious DiscriminationConscience ClausesCourt StrippingResearchCreationism/Intelligent DesignFaith-Based ProgramsJudicial NominationsLGBT Civil RightsMarriage AmendmentMember OrganizationsExecutive Branch Nontheist Public OfficialsOfficial PrayersOur ConstituencyPrivileging ReligionReligion in Political CampaignsReligion in the MilitaryReligious Symbols on Gov't PropertyReproductive RightsRLUIPA/RFRASex EducationStem CellsVouchers for Religious SchoolsWed, 11 Dec 2013 14:54:03 +0000Lauren Youngblood1800 at https://www.secular.orgAtheists Grade Massachusetts Congressional District https://www.secular.org/news/atheists-grade-massachusetts-congressional-district
<p>Washington, DC-- The Secular Coalition for America yesterday released its <a href="http://secular.org/files/primary_scorecard_ma_special_0.pdf">2013 Massachusetts Special Election Candidate Scorecard</a> for the upcoming elections -guide for secular-minded <em>Massachusettsians</em><em> </em>&nbsp;on the candidates.</p>
<p>The scorecard grades the 10 candidates-Republican and Democratic-vying for the 5<sup>th</sup> District Congressional seat on October 15. The candidates received the following grades: &nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>FRANK JOHN ADDIVINOLA, JR. &nbsp;- F</li>
<li>WILLIAM N. BROWNSBERGER &nbsp;- A</li>
<li>KATHERINE M. CLARK &nbsp;- A</li>
<li>PETER J. KOUTOUJIAN - N/A</li>
<li>MARTIN LONG - N/A</li>
<li>PAUL JOHN MAISANO - N/A</li>
<li>CARL M., SCIORTINO JR. - A</li>
<li>KAREN E. SPILKA - A</li>
<li>MICHAEL P. STOPA - N/A</li>
<li>TOM TIERNEY&nbsp; - B</li>
</ul>
<p>The candidates were scored on their answers to four topics relating to separation of church and state issues:&nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li>What role would religion play in the candidate's decision making in his or her role as a U.S. Representative?&nbsp; Does the candidate support a mutual separation between religion and government?</li>
<li>Does the candidate support a science based curriculum in public schools and reject the use of public funding of religious schools or religiously-based curriculums?</li>
<li>Does the candidate support social policies that do not discriminate based on religion, such as marriage equality?</li>
<li>Does the candidate support scientifically based regulations including science surrounding reproduction?</li>
</ol>
<p>"We are pleased to have several strong candidates in Massachusetts," said Edwina Rogers, executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. "But no matter who is elected the Secular Coalition and our state chapter in Massachusetts will work to educate and unify lawmakers on both sides of the aisle behind our country's core secular founding principles."</p>
<p>A recent Pew Forum <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/How-Religious-Is-Your-State-.aspx">study</a> indicated that a full 40 percent of Massachusetts residents do not express an absolute belief in God, and a majority of Massachusetts residents-60 percent-disagreed that "religion is very important to their lives."&nbsp; In fact, when it comes to this question, Massachusetts is one of the least religious states, outranked only by Alaska, New Hampshire and Vermont.&nbsp; Another Pew study found that the <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/more-see-too-much-religious-talk-by-politicians.aspx#expressions">majority of Americans</a> (54%) say that churches and other houses of worship should keep out of political matters, and 38% says that there has been too much expression of religious faith and prayer from political leaders - a number that has grown to its highest point since the Pew Research Center began asking the question more than a decade ago.</p>
<p>Zachary Bos, co-chair for the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts said, there are hundreds of thousands of secular-identifying Massachusetts residents who vote and want elected officials to protect the nation's secular founding principles. According to the Pew Research Center, the religiously unaffiliated are now the single largest voting bloc within the Democratic Party, comprising 24 percent.</p>
<p>"It's all too easy to give lip-service to faith in order to curry favor with religious voters, but the truth is, everyone's freedoms are better protected when our political leaders work hard to keep any religious bias out of government," Bos said. "Nontheists have always been a part of the Massachusetts community, but now that we've become organized, we're going to make sure our concerns can't be overlooked-- that includes asking hard questions about the candidates' commitment to secular government, so that our voters know where to throw their support."</p>
<p>Rogers agreed and noted that the larger fights over religion and government are often at the state level.</p>
<p>"The separation of religion and government affects all of us in a positive way--including protecting the religious from having another's brand of religion imposed on them," Rogers said.&nbsp; "These secular values are particularly important to remember and protect at the state level, where we're seeing some of the most egregious legislation in state capitals across the country."</p>
<p>In September David Niose, president of the Secular Coalition for America, <a href="http://secular.org/news/sca-president-tries-under-god-case-mass-supreme-court-today">presented oral arguments</a> before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, in "Doe v. Acton-Boxborough Regional School District." In his arguments, Niose cited the Equal Protection clause to challenge a state law that requires daily school-sponsored and teacher-led classroom recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, which includes the term "under God."</p>
<p>The Secular Coalition for America published the scorecards in conjunction with the <a href="http://states.secular.org/states/massachusetts">Secular Coalition for Massachusetts</a>, an established state chapter of the Secular Coalition, which lobbies state lawmakers on behalf of secular Americans in Massachusetts.</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Lauren Anderson Youngblood</strong>, SCA Communications Manager at <a href="mailto:lauren@secular.org">lauren@secular.org</a> or (202)299-1091 ext. 205, cell (202)630-9725</li>
<li><strong>Zachary Bos</strong>, Secular Coalition for Massachusetts Co-chair at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:massachusetts@secular.org" target="_blank">massachusetts@secular.org</a> or (617)935-4951</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>"under God" in the PledgePress ReleasesCreationism/Intelligent DesignFaith-Based ProgramsNontheist Public OfficialsOfficial PrayersReligion in Political CampaignsReproductive RightsSex EducationStem CellsVouchers for Religious SchoolsThu, 10 Oct 2013 14:39:27 +0000Lauren Youngblood1746 at https://www.secular.orgSecular Coalition Fails Most 2012 Presidential Candidates on Religiously Intrusive Issueshttps://www.secular.org/content/secular-coalition-fails-most-2012-presidential-candidates-religiously-intrusive-issues
<p>WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash;The Secular Coalition for America today released its<a href="http://secular.org/content/2012-presidental-candidate-scorecard"> 2012 Presidential Candidate Scorecard</a>&mdash;a guide for secular-minded Americans on the presidential candidates in the upcoming 2012 election. The scorecard ranks the major candidates of both Republican and Democratic parties on issues important to nontheistic Americans, and all Americans who support a robust separation of church and state.<br /><br />Of the three leading Republican candidates, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and U.S. Representative Ron Paul received mostly negative scores, while former U.S. Representative and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich received a grade of &ldquo;F&rdquo; in almost every category. U.S. Representative Michelle Bachmann, Texas Governor Rick Perry, and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum also received almost exclusively negative grades in most categories. Former Utah Governor and Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman and President Barack Obama received mixed positives.<br /><br />&ldquo;Given the current political climate, I&rsquo;m not surprised that the candidates received mixed ratings at best,&rdquo; said Herb Silverman, President of the Secular Coalition for America. &ldquo;Nontheists almost never get the opportunity to vote for a candidate who openly acknowledges being an atheist, but it&rsquo;s frightening to see that at least half of the candidates don&rsquo;t have a basic understanding of the principle of separation of church and state on which our country was founded.&rdquo;<br /><br />The scorecard assigned grades of<strong> "A", "B", "C</strong>" or <strong>"F"</strong> to the eight major candidates <strong>based on their public statements</strong> and <strong>actions </strong>on nine subjects:</p>
<ul>
<li>Attitude Toward Nontheists</li>
<li>Church &amp; State Separation</li>
<li>Taxpayer Funding of Religion</li>
<li>God, Faith &amp; Governance</li>
<li>Endorsements &amp; Associations</li>
<li>Evolution</li>
<li>Scientifically Based Regulations &amp; Legislation</li>
<li>Religious Discrimination &amp; Civil Rights</li>
<li>Religious Refusal Laws&nbsp; </li>
</ul>
<p><br />With the rise of the Christian Right, religion has played an increased role in recent elections. This year, the candidates have emphasized how their religious faith influences their public life. In November, all but two of the Republican candidates&mdash;Jon Huntsman and Mitt Romney&mdash;participated in the Thanksgiving Family Forum debate at an Iowa evangelical mega-church which focused on the candidates&rsquo; religious beliefs.<br /><br />For the nearly 50 million secular Americans&mdash;and the millions more who value the separation of church and state&mdash;the scorecard provides information on where each candidate stands on issues important to them.<br /><br />Of the mixed positive grades, Huntsman scored well because of his ability to separate his personal religious beliefs from his secular duties as an elected official. Obama also received positive marks because of his open inclusion of nontheists, and support for separation of church and state and scientifically based regulations and legislation.<br /><br />Of the lead Republicans, Gingrich&rsquo;s responses were overwhelmingly negative, showing hostility toward secular Americans and an unwillingness to separate his religious beliefs from his previous and prospective roles as an elected official. His statements were hostile to atheists, going so far as to refer to atheists as un-American. He said, &ldquo;I am convinced that if we do not decisively win the struggle over the nature of America, by the time [my grandchildren are] my age they will be in a secular atheist country, potentially one dominated by radical Islamists and with no understanding of what it once meant to be an American.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;While voters will choose a candidate based on many issues, we hope this scorecard will help voters make a more informed decision,&rdquo; Secular Coalition President Herb Silverman said. &ldquo;We will continue to hold all our politicians accountable to the constitutional mandate for separation of church and state.&rdquo;<br /><br />Closer to the November 2012 election, the Secular Coalition will publish an updated scorecard to compare both the Republican and Democratic party nominees, including Vice Presidential running mates, and any notable third-party candidates.<br /><br />View the 2012 Presidential Candidate Scorecard in its entirety at<a href="http://secular.org/content/2011-presidental-candidate-scorecard"> http://secular.org/content/2012-presidental-candidate-scorecard</a>. View the PDF at <a href="http://secular.org/files/2012scapresidentialcandidatescorecard.pdf">http://secular.org/files/2012scapresidentialcandidatescorecard.pdf</a>.</p>
<p><br /><br /><strong>CONTACT: </strong>Lauren Anderson Youngblood, SCA communications manager:202-299-1091 ext. 205 or <a href="mailto:lauren@secular.org">lauren@secular.org</a> <br /><br />The Secular Coalition for America is a 501 c(4) organization that serves as the national lobby for atheists, humanists, freethinkers, and other nontheistic Americans. Composed of ten diverse member organizations, SCA works to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.secular.org" title="www.secular.org">www.secular.org</a>.</p>Acknowledging NontheistsBoy ScoutsPress ReleasesChristian NationCivil Rights/Religious DiscriminationConscience ClausesCreationism/Intelligent DesignFaith-Based ProgramsLGBT Civil RightsMarriage AmendmentOfficial PrayersPrivileging ReligionReligion in Political CampaignsSex EducationVouchers for Religious SchoolsThu, 22 Dec 2011 21:59:00 +0000Lauren Youngblood518 at https://www.secular.orgHouse Votes to Funnel Taxpayer Dollars to Religious Schools in D.C.https://www.secular.org/content/house-votes-funnel-taxpayer-dollars-religious-schools-dc
<p style="text-align: left;">WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted 225 to 195 to approve legislation that would reauthorize and expand the Washington, D.C. federal private school voucher pilot program, under which millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars are funneled toward private religious schools that preach religious dogma and can discriminate against staff and students. The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act will now head to the U.S. Senate.
<!--break-->
</p><p><!--break--><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;This legislation is a blatant violation of the separation of church and state,&rdquo; said Sean Faircloth, executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. &ldquo;The D.C. voucher program uses millions of American taxpayer dollars to fund the religious training of thousands of District students who attend private, religious institutions that do not offer students an op-out option and are exempt from federal civil rights laws.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; More than 80 percent of students in the D.C. voucher program attend private religious schools, which, under this program, are allowed to discriminate in hiring and enrollment on the basis of religion. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;Taxpayers shouldn&rsquo;t be forced to subsidize religious proselytizing and discrimination,&rdquo; Faircloth said. &ldquo;We urge the U.S. Senate to reject this legislation on the grounds that it is unjust and unconstitutional.&rdquo;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On Feb. 10, the Secular Coalition for American submitted testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce committee outlining its objections to the D.C. voucher program. You can read the entire letter here: <a href="http://www.secular.org/11/2-10/House-ESEA-Hearing-Letter" title="http://www.secular.org/11/2-10/House-ESEA-Hearing-Letter">http://www.secular.org/11/2-10/House-ESEA-Hearing-Letter</a><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; President Obama strongly opposes the D.C. voucher program, according to a White House statement issued Tuesday. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Secular Coalition for America is a 501 c(4) organization that serves as the national lobby for atheists, humanists, freethinkers, and other nontheistic Americans. Composed of ten diverse member organizations, SCA works to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.secular.org" title="www.secular.org">www.secular.org</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>News StoryPress ReleasesVouchers for Religious SchoolsWed, 30 Mar 2011 22:41:45 +0000Mike Meno343 at https://www.secular.orgTake Action: Tell Congress to Stop Federal Funding of Religious Schoolshttps://www.secular.org/content/action-alerts/tell-congress-stop-federal-funding-religious-schools
<p>This Wednesday, March 30, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on H.R. 471, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act. This legislation would reauthorize and expand the Washington, D.C. federal private school voucher pilot program, under which millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars are funneled toward private religious schools that preach religious dogma and can discriminate against staff and students.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><strong>The Secular Coalition for America objects to voucher programs that use federal taxpayer dollars for private religious schools that proselytize to students and are exempted from federal civil rights laws, allowing them to discriminate in enrollment and hiring on the basis of faith.</strong><br /><br />More than 80 percent of students receiving federal vouchers through the D.C. program attend private religious schools with such civil rights exemptions but no opt-out option for religious instruction.&nbsp; <br /><br />Currently, this is the only federal voucher program subsidized with your tax dollars. However, new legislation has been introduced to create a federal voucher program nationwide. The Secular Coalition for America takes no position on the use of vouchers for secular private education, but SCA opposes the re-authorization of the D.C. voucher program because it has resulted in the federally funded religious training of thousands of D.C. children.<br /><br /><strong>Help SCA protest this blatant violation of the separation of church and state. </strong><a href="http://action.secular.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6286">Write to your representative in the U.S. House right now.</a> Tell your representative to vote against programs that send your tax dollars to private religious schools.<br /><br /><a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c112:2:./temp/~c112QgxDmR::">You can read the entire text of the bill here</a>, and <a href="http://action.secular.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6286">use the form at this link</a> to contact your representative in the House.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>Action AlertNews StoryVouchers for Religious SchoolsMon, 28 Mar 2011 14:23:43 +0000Mike Meno340 at https://www.secular.orgSecular Coalition Calls on Senate to Oppose Lieberman's Voucher Billhttps://www.secular.org/node/307
<p>WASHINGTON, D.C - The Secular Coalition for America, the leading national organization representing the interests of American nontheists, urged the U.S. Senate today to oppose efforts to re-authorize a federal voucher program that would funnel millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to Washington, D.C. students who attend private religious schools that are not subject to federal and local anti-discrimination laws. <br /><br />&ldquo;This program is not only discriminatory &ndash; it&rsquo;s unconstitutional,&rdquo; said Sean Faircloth, executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. &ldquo;The act specifically allows private religious schools to reject students or employees based on their faith, gender, or family situation, while still receiving U.S. taxpayer dollars.&rdquo; <br /><br />Sen. Joseph Lieberman held a hearing today about S. 206, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act of 2011, which would expand Washington, D.C.&rsquo;s pilot voucher experiment &ndash; the only federally funded voucher program in the country &ndash; to include new students and allocate $20 million to the program.&nbsp; <br /><br />In a letter sent last week to every member of the U.S. Senate, Faircloth pointed out that more than 80 percent of students in the D.C. voucher program attend private religious schools.<br /><br />&ldquo;Reauthorizing and expanding the SOAR Act would only increase the number of students &ndash; and tax dollars &ndash; going to these private faith-based institutions,&rdquo; Faircloth said in the letter. &ldquo;U.S. taxpayer money should not fund programs that harm the fundamental civil rights of students and teachers.&rdquo;<br /><br />To read Faircloth&rsquo;s entire letter, please <a href="http://www.secular.org/SenateVoucherLetter2.10.11">click here</a>.<br /><br />House Speaker John Boehner is sponsoring similar voucher legislation (H.R. 471) in the U.S. House.<br />Contact: Mike Meno, SCA communications manager: 202-299-1091 or <a href="mailto:mike@secular.org">mike@secular.org</a></p>News StoryPress ReleasesVouchers for Religious SchoolsWed, 16 Feb 2011 20:27:49 +0000Mike Meno307 at https://www.secular.orgSecular Coalition Urges U.S. Senate to Oppose D.C. Voucher Renewalhttps://www.secular.org/node/306
<p>WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, the Secular Coalition for America sent letters to every U.S. Senator urging them to oppose and not co-sponsor S. 206, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act of 2011, which would reauthorize and expand the Washington, D.C. private school voucher pilot program. <br /><br />As the leading voice for secular Americans in our nation&rsquo;s capital, the Secular Coalition for America objects to voucher programs that subsidize private religious schools that are able to discriminate on the basis of faith and proselytize to students who are not given an op-out option.<br /><br />More than 80 percent of students in the D.C. voucher program attend private religious schools.<br /><br />&ldquo;As a nation that values religious liberty, our government should never compel its citizens to fund a religious institution for any reason, particularly schools that can discriminate, based on religion, against both students and staff,&rdquo; said Sean Faircloth, executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. &ldquo;The D.C. voucher program is the only federally funded voucher program in the country, allowing millions of taxpayer dollars to be funneled to schools focused on the religious indoctrination of children.&rdquo;<br /><br />Many of the schools that accept vouchers are explicit in their religious agenda. One such example is the Anacostia Christian Bible School, which describes its purpose as turning K &ndash; 6 students &ldquo;into an army by reconciling them to God by making warriors for Christ and to each other through worship, prayer, preaching, fellowship, and teaching.&rdquo; (Emphasis added.) The entire text of SCA's letter to U.S. senators can be read <a href="http://www.secular.org/SenateVoucherLetter2.10.11">here</a>.<br /><br />The Homeland Security and Government Affairs Senate Committee plans to hold a hearing about the D.C. voucher program on Wednesday, February 16, at 9:15 a.m.<br /><br />House Speaker John Boehner has sponsored an identical bill, H.R. 471, in the U.S. House. <br /><br />Contact: Mike Meno, SCA communications manager: 202-299-1091 or <a href="mailto:mike@secular.org">mike@secular.org</a></p>News StoryPress ReleasesVouchers for Religious SchoolsMon, 14 Feb 2011 18:47:09 +0000Mike Meno306 at https://www.secular.orgSCA's Letter to U.S. Senators Opposing D.C. Voucher Program -- Feb. 10, 2011https://www.secular.org/SenateVoucherLetter2.10.11
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">February 10, 2011<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">Dear Senator,<span>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong>The Secular Coalition for America strongly urges you to oppose and not co-sponsor S. 206, the Scholarships for Opportunity Results Act of 2011 (SOAR), which would reauthorize and expand the Washington, D.C. private school voucher pilot program. </strong>Under this legislation, every U.S. taxpayer is forced to subsidize private religious schools that are able to violate civil rights laws by discriminating on the basis of faith and proselytize to students who are not given an opt-out option.<sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">i</span></sup><span>&nbsp; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">With more than 80 percent of students in the D.C. voucher program attending private religious schools, reauthorizing and expanding the SOAR Act would only increase the number of students &ndash; and tax dollars &ndash; going to these private faith-based institutions.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"> <sup><sub>ii</sub></sup></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">One of the most dearly held principles of religious liberty is that the government should not compel any citizen to furnish funds in support of a religion with which he or she disagrees, or even a religion with which he or she does agree.<sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">iii</span></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program was created in 2003 as a 5-year pilot program, scheduled to expire in 2008. The program, which currently receives approximately $13 million in U.S. taxpayer funds, provides individual vouchers of up to $7,500 to about 1,300 students. This program is the nation&rsquo;s only federally funded voucher program. Although the program expired in 2008, it continues to receive funding. However, the FY2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act and FY2011 Continuing Resolutions included language to ensure that only students who receive vouchers in the previous year would continue to receive them. Additionally, as a result of deficiencies revealed in past reports and congressional hearings, the appropriations language now mandates that the instructors who teach core subjects at private schools with students receiving D.C. vouchers must have a 4-year bachelor&rsquo;s degree, and the private schools themselves must maintain a valid certificate of occupancy and be in compliance with District of Columbia accreditation standards. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">Federal laws protect students in public schools from many forms of discrimination, including religious. When parents accept a voucher to enroll their child in a private school, they surrender that student&rsquo;s guaranteed protections. The purpose of America&rsquo;s public school system is to provide a secular education.<span>&nbsp; </span>Once they&rsquo;ve met basic educational standards, private religious schools may skew a curriculum toward their belief systems. Under the D.C. voucher program, there is no option for a student to receive an education from a private religious school without indoctrination. <span>&nbsp;</span>Consider these examples of private religious schools in Washington, D.C. that have received federally funded vouchers. </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong><span>Anacostia Christian Bible School </span></strong><span>(Grades K &ndash; 6):<em> &ldquo;Our purpose is to turn an audience into an army by reconciling them to God by making warriors for Christ and to each other through worship, prayer, preaching, fellowship, and teaching.&rdquo; </em>(</span><a href="http://www.anacostiabible.org/"><span style="color: #000000;">www.anacostiabible.org</span></a><span>) </span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong><span>Cornerstone Schools of Washington, D.C., Inc.</span></strong><span> (Grades K &ndash; 6): &ldquo;<em>God&rsquo;s truth is infused throughout the curriculum and is reinforced in chapel each week, where the students learn important lessons from the Scriptures. These lessons are put into practice in the classroom, on the playground, and in student service projects. Each morning, the school comes alive as students belt out Gospel songs during praise and worship time.&rdquo; </em>(</span><a href="http://www.cornerstone-schools.org/"><span style="color: #000000;">www.cornerstone-schools.org</span></a><span>)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong><span>National Presbyterian School</span></strong><span> (Grades Pre-K &ndash; 6): <em>&ldquo;The School encourages faith in God and belief in a Judeo-Christian system of values, including respect for God, for others. &hellip; These teachings are interwoven throughout the curriculum and the daily life of the School, and more generally articulated in our core values.&rdquo; </em>(</span><a href="http://www.nps-dc.org/"><span style="color: #000000;">www.nps-dc.org</span></a><span>)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">Allowing government money to flow to these and other private religious institutions without holding them to non-discrimination laws is a clear violation of one of our core principles: &ldquo;The Constitution does not permit the State to aid discrimination.&rdquo;<sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">iv</span></sup> Not only may private religious schools have a religious curriculum, they may also discriminate by hiring teachers based on their faith, rather than on their professional qualifications.<sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">v</span></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">Since 1967, voters in 23 states have rejected voucher proposals and other tax-assistance programs for religious schools. Open and non-discriminatory in their acceptance of all students, American public schools are the unifying factor among the diverse range of ethnic and religious communities in our society. In our nation&rsquo;s capital, Washington, D.C. schools should be no different. Vouchers undermine this vital function by surrendering the longstanding principle of equal treatment for all, regardless of religion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">U.S. taxpayer money should not fund programs that harm the fundamental civil rights of students and teachers. <strong>The Secular Coalition for America urges you to oppose and not co-sponsor the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act of 2011 (S. 206). </strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">Sincerely,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">Sean Faircloth</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">Executive Director</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman,times;">____________________</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">i</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; U.S. Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights, http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq53e8.html</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">ii</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: times new roman,times;"> U.S. Dept. of Ed., <em>Education of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts After Three Years </em>(April 2009).<span>&nbsp; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">iii</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: times new roman,times;"> Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1789. </span></p>
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">iv</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: times new roman,times;"> <em>Norwood v. Harrison, </em>413 U.S. 455, 465-66 (1973). <br /> <span class="MsoEndnoteReference">v</span> Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; U.S. Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights, http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq53e8.html</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>Vouchers for Religious SchoolsMon, 14 Feb 2011 18:04:05 +0000Mike Meno305 at https://www.secular.orgSCA Submits Testimony for House ESEA Hearinghttps://www.secular.org/11/2-10/House-ESEA-Hearing-Letter
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee held a hearing entitled "<a href="http://edworkforce.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=224346">Education in the Nation: Examining the Challenges and Opportunities Facing America's Classrooms</a>." Among the anticipated topics were the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the possibility of federally supported voucher programs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong>The Secular Coalition for America's Executive Director, Sean Faircloth, submitted the following written testimony to the committee members.</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">February 10, 2011</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Dear Committee Members, <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">The Secular Coalition for America urges you to omit voucher programs from the reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Voucher programs funded by the federal government require every U.S. taxpayer to subsidize private religious schools that are able to violate civil rights laws by discriminating on the basis of faith and proselytize to students who are not given an opt-out option.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> </span><a name="_ednref" href="#_edn1"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[i]</span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Although a narrow majority of the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld vouchers under certain circumstances, the Court did not rule that they were <em>per se</em> constitutional<a name="_ednref" href="#_edn2"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[ii]</span></span></a>. One of the most dearly held principles of religious liberty is that the government should not compel any citizen to furnish funds in support of a religion with which he or she disagrees, or even a religion with which he or she does agree.<a name="_ednref" href="#_edn3"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[iii]</span></span></a> In the U.S. taxpayer-funded Washington, D.C. voucher program, more than 80 percent of students attend private faith-based schools.<a name="_ednref" href="#_edn4"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[iv]</span></span></a> In Arizona, more than 50 percent of taxpayer funds donated under a state assistance scholarship program in 2009 went to students who attended religious schools.<a name="_ednref" href="#_edn5"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[v]</span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">The laws of our government protect students in public schools from many forms of discrimination, including religious. Students lose these guaranteed protections when attending any private school. The purpose of America&rsquo;s public school system is to provide a secular education. There is no guarantee of the purpose of a private school. Consider these examples of private schools in Washington, D.C. that have received federally funded vouchers.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong>Anacostia Christian Bible School </strong>(Grades K &ndash; 6):<em>"Our purpose is to turn an audience into an army by reconciling them to God by making warriors for Christ and to each other through worship, prayer, preaching, fellowship, and teaching." </em>(<a href="http://www.anacostiabible.org/">www.anacostiabible.org</a>)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong>Cornerstone Schools of Washington, D.C., Inc.</strong> (Grades K &ndash; 6): &ldquo;<em>God's truth is infused throughout the curriculum and is reinforced in chapel each week, where the students learn important lessons from the Scriptures. These lessons are put into practice in the classroom, on the playground, and in student service projects. Each morning, the school comes alive as students belt out Gospel songs during praise and worship time.&rdquo; </em>(<a href="http://www.cornerstone-schools.org/">www.cornerstone-schools.org</a>)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><strong>National Presbyterian School</strong> (Grades Pre-K &ndash; 6): <em>&ldquo;The School encourages faith in God and belief in a Judeo-Christian system of values, including respect for God, for others. &hellip; These teachings are interwoven throughout the curriculum and the daily life of the School, and more generally articulated in our core values.&rdquo; </em>(<a href="http://www.nps-dc.org/">www.nps-dc.org</a>)</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Allowing government money to flow to these and other private religious institutions without holding them to non-discrimination laws is a clear violation of one of the central principles of our constitutional order: &ldquo;The Constitution does not permit the State to aid discrimination.&rdquo;<a name="_ednref" href="#_edn6"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[vi]</span></span></a> Not only may private religious schools have a religious curriculum, they may also discriminate by hiring teachers based on their faith, rather than on their professional qualifications.<a name="_ednref" href="#_edn7"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[vii]</span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Since 1967, voters in 23 states have rejected voucher proposals and other tax-assistance programs for religious schools. Open and non-discriminatory in their acceptance of all students, American public schools are the unifying factor among the diverse range of ethnic and religious communities in our society. Vouchers undermine this vital function by surrendering the longstanding principle of equal treatment for all, regardless of religion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">U.S. taxpayer money should not fund programs that harm the fundamental civil rights of students and teachers. The Secular Coalition for America urges you to oppose any attempt to fund federal voucher programs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Sincerely,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Sean Faircloth</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;">Executive Director</span></p>
<div><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><br /></span>
<hr width="33%" size="1" />
<div id="edn">
<p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><a name="_edn1" href="#_ednref"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[i]</span></span></a> Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; U.S. Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights, http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq53e8.html</span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><a name="_edn2" href="#_ednref"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[ii]</span></span></a> <em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, </span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">536 U.S. 639 (2002).</span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><a name="_edn3" href="#_ednref"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[iii]</span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1789</span>.</span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><a name="_edn4" href="#_ednref"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[iv]</span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">U.S. Dept. of Education, <em>Education of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts After Three Years </em>(April 2009).</span> <span>&nbsp;</span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><a name="_edn5" href="#_ednref"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[v]</span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1769/supreme-court-arizona-vouchers-religious-schools-establishment-clause</span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><a name="_edn6" href="#_ednref"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[vi]</span></span></a> <em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Norwood v. Harrison, </span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">413 U.S. 455, 465-66 (1973)</span>.</span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><a name="_edn7" href="#_ednref"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span>[vii]</span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; U.S. Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights, http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq53e8.html</span></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman,times;"><br /></span></p>News StoryCivil Rights/Religious DiscriminationPrivileging ReligionVouchers for Religious SchoolsThu, 10 Feb 2011 21:16:57 +0000Mike Meno303 at https://www.secular.orgSecular Coalition submits testimony for Senate hearing on vouchershttps://www.secular.org/news/voucher_testimony090914.html
<p>September 14- The Secular Coalition for America has submitted written testimony for a September 16th hearing on the reauthorization of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. The Secular Coalition thinks it is unconstitutional for federal tax dollars to be funnelled to D.C. schools like the Ambassador Baptist Church Christian School, Calvary Christian Academy&nbsp; First Rock Baptist Christian Church School, Muhammad University of Islam, Clara Muhammad School and Dupont Park Seventh-day Adventist School.</p>
<p>The Secular Coalition opposes the use of government funds for religious purposes, including vouchers for religious schools. We agree with the founders of the United States that no individual taxpayer should be required to pay for someone else's religion. When private religious schools are privately funded, religious schools have an undisputed right to include religious content in their curriculum. But once taxpayer dollars enter the equation, it is impossible for the government to avoid funding religious activity or favoring one religious program over another or over non-religious programming.</p>
<p>The testimony is <a href="http://www.secular.org/news/voucher_testimony090914.doc">attached</a>.</p>
<p>For our complete position paper and fact-sheet on the D.C. religious school voucher program, <a href="http://www.secular.org/issues/vouchers/?view=summary">click here</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>News StoryCoalition UpdatesVouchers for Religious SchoolsFri, 11 Sep 2009 18:24:04 +0000Sasha Bartolf129 at https://www.secular.org